WTF is this rank?

Zero wrote:So did The Beat. This reminds me a bit about a post I read about the sorry state of video games journalism on the web somewhere. Was it Kieron Gillen?

While it's not quite the same, DC's actions are troubling. The big video game sites are beholden to the industry leaders for access. A site without access to press-only events or early demo copies of games is going to have a tough time getting noticed in the competitive environment of game journalism. The game companies absolutely exploit that relationship, which is why you rarely see marquis titles from the big companies getting low review scores, even if the game really isn't that good.

The comic industry isn't in quite the same situation. Most announcements are done via press release or at cons, which are easier for the average person to access. Unlike games, comics can be reviewed fairly quickly, and have a much shorter shelf life once they're released. Exclusive content is still important; indeed, it's generally what sets the big sites apart from your average fan site. That said, there are other ways to set yourself apart. Bleeding Cool is one example. We're another, and we've had much more success since the news initiative started than we did before.

Ultimately, this isn't going to hurt the site. As Blue wrote, we've never gotten much in the way of content from DC. The fact that they flatly refuse to deal with us now doesn't change that. What this does show, like the CBR incident from a couple of weeks back, is that DC is attempting to control the narrative about them in a way that is potentially chilling to the comic book press. It's certainly within their rights to deny access to whomever they want, but when you take your ball and go home because we made one too many jokes about Dan Didio acting like an evil supervillain, well, it makes you look like buffoons.

WTF is this rank?

Zero wrote:So did The Beat. This reminds me a bit about a post I read about the sorry state of video games journalism on the web somewhere. Was it Kieron Gillen?

While it's not quite the same, DC's actions are troubling. The big video game sites are beholden to the industry leaders for access. A site without access to press-only events or early demo copies of games is going to have a tough time getting noticed in the competitive environment of game journalism. The game companies absolutely exploit that relationship, which is why you rarely see marquis titles from the big companies getting low review scores, even if the game really isn't that good.

The comic industry isn't in quite the same situation. Most announcements are done via press release or at cons, which are easier for the average person to access. Unlike games, comics can be reviewed fairly quickly, and have a much shorter shelf life once they're released. Exclusive content is still important; indeed, it's generally what sets the big sites apart from your average fan site. That said, there are other ways to set yourself apart. Bleeding Cool is one example. We're another, and we've had much more success since the news initiative started than we did before.

Ultimately, this isn't going to hurt the site. As Blue wrote, we've never gotten much in the way of content from DC. The fact that they flatly refuse to deal with us now doesn't change that. What this does show, like the CBR incident from a couple of weeks back, is that DC is attempting to control the narrative about them in a way that is potentially chilling to the comic book press. It's certainly within their rights to deny access to whomever they want, but when you take your ball and go home because we made one too many jokes about Dan Didio acting like an evil supervillain, well, it makes you look like buffoons.

WTF is this rank?

bkthomson wrote:Not surprised with this reacation. I'm sure he does not recall or remember email correspondence that has occurred between him and the OH. Plus, they man has a lot of names and places to remember so I cannot image OH is anywhere in his top list, which shows that this whole problem may not have come from the top but someone random person making his own executive decision.

WTF is this rank?

bkthomson wrote:Not surprised with this reacation. I'm sure he does not recall or remember email correspondence that has occurred between him and the OH. Plus, they man has a lot of names and places to remember so I cannot image OH is anywhere in his top list, which shows that this whole problem may not have come from the top but someone random person making his own executive decision.

Like the Executive Director of Publicity at DC Comcs perhaps?

3MJ

by 3MJ » Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:20 am

Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

3MJ

Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

Hopscotch

SuperginraiX wrote:Not that I believe he's connected to this decision or that he could name our site in a line-up... but I'm pretty sure we've talked to him before. I'm also pretty sure he was connected to our New 52 promotion.

So, to be VERY nitpicky, he HAS heard of our site before. He just might have forgotten about us.

Which leads me into my next statement: He could be LYING, you know. Just because a reply seems "respectful" doesn't mean it's telling you the truth.

You guys could test the theory and request an interview with him. See what THAT reply turns out to be.

Hopscotch

SuperginraiX wrote:Not that I believe he's connected to this decision or that he could name our site in a line-up... but I'm pretty sure we've talked to him before. I'm also pretty sure he was connected to our New 52 promotion.

So, to be VERY nitpicky, he HAS heard of our site before. He just might have forgotten about us.

Which leads me into my next statement: He could be LYING, you know. Just because a reply seems "respectful" doesn't mean it's telling you the truth.

You guys could test the theory and request an interview with him. See what THAT reply turns out to be.

Staff Writer

Jubilee wrote:Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

Staff Writer

Jubilee wrote:Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

The Virgin Connie Swail

Jubilee wrote:Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

Summary of said chat for those of us who missed it, please and thank you.

The Virgin Connie Swail

Jubilee wrote:Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

Summary of said chat for those of us who missed it, please and thank you.

Outhouse Editor

Jubilee wrote:Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

Outhouse Editor

Jubilee wrote:Can we all just come out and say what we all know from the Outhouse chat and confirm it was Geoff Johns who belittled Zechs and acted like a little bitch? Or have we got to skirt around the issue abit longer?

Geoff Johns would never had done that to me.

sdsichero wrote:I especially like and admire Zechs. He's everything I wish I could be!

Staff Writer

I'm sure he would know the site if his memory was jogged. You'd be surprised how many creators I talk to at cons don't know the names of even the biggest comic sites, even though they've done interviews with them. Chances are, this is something being done through marketing and Dan is probably focused on other things in his work.

Staff Writer

I'm sure he would know the site if his memory was jogged. You'd be surprised how many creators I talk to at cons don't know the names of even the biggest comic sites, even though they've done interviews with them. Chances are, this is something being done through marketing and Dan is probably focused on other things in his work.

Outhouse Editor

I'm mostly upset with their treatment of Zechs. They aren't his boss. Zechs doesn't work for them. But they scolded him like that was the situation. Or maybe like we was in their school.

That's not cool. And since Zechs was in the position of reporter at the time, that whole thing was basically an interview. I woulda asked more questions, Zechs.

I have been involved in a number of interviews for the Outhouse and they have all been awesome. One of the great things about being connected to a comic book website is that you get to have actual conversations with some of your favorite creators. While the OH's satire is as ridiculous as you'd expect, we handle interviews in a professional and non-satirical manner. I remember one DnA interview that had to be approved by two different Marvel editors and some stuff (spoilers and maybe a comment that could have been taken the wrong way) was edited out. Happy to do so. We're not here to get creators in trouble and we basically just want to talk to them about our favorite books. Maybe so that other people will pick the book up because of how cool these creators are.

So it's probably rare that we'd even think of asking something like "how much do you hate the company that you're working for?" Though... now I wanna ask that question all the time.

I remember talking to Scott Snyder on one of the podcasts and telling him that I have almost always hated Batman books but he made me finally love one. Seriously, I just gush when I talk to creators. I'll fluff piece the hell out of those things. It helps that the above statement is 100% true.

So, I guess I GET that DC wouldn't want to give us interview opps if they thought we were going to satirize their talent or something but that has never been how we have handled actual interviews. I don't get how they pulled Zechs into the office and told him that he was a bad boy. I don't get how they thought that would be a good idea.

Outhouse Editor

I'm mostly upset with their treatment of Zechs. They aren't his boss. Zechs doesn't work for them. But they scolded him like that was the situation. Or maybe like we was in their school.

That's not cool. And since Zechs was in the position of reporter at the time, that whole thing was basically an interview. I woulda asked more questions, Zechs.

I have been involved in a number of interviews for the Outhouse and they have all been awesome. One of the great things about being connected to a comic book website is that you get to have actual conversations with some of your favorite creators. While the OH's satire is as ridiculous as you'd expect, we handle interviews in a professional and non-satirical manner. I remember one DnA interview that had to be approved by two different Marvel editors and some stuff (spoilers and maybe a comment that could have been taken the wrong way) was edited out. Happy to do so. We're not here to get creators in trouble and we basically just want to talk to them about our favorite books. Maybe so that other people will pick the book up because of how cool these creators are.

So it's probably rare that we'd even think of asking something like "how much do you hate the company that you're working for?" Though... now I wanna ask that question all the time.

I remember talking to Scott Snyder on one of the podcasts and telling him that I have almost always hated Batman books but he made me finally love one. Seriously, I just gush when I talk to creators. I'll fluff piece the hell out of those things. It helps that the above statement is 100% true.

So, I guess I GET that DC wouldn't want to give us interview opps if they thought we were going to satirize their talent or something but that has never been how we have handled actual interviews. I don't get how they pulled Zechs into the office and told him that he was a bad boy. I don't get how they thought that would be a good idea.

Motherfucker from Hell

Zechs wrote:Exactly what has been my motto since the new 52 in not buying their books. Though I will make an exception this week with Swamp Thing. If anything Charles Soule did a passionate job saying if anything just buy the two issue arc. But as you said before I am. Being at the Archaia booth yesterday opened my eyes to how there are many more great indy comics I've overlooked and now fully digging into.

Yeah, The Killer in particular is really awesome. There's so much great stuff out there. Do you want a great detective comic? Check out Stumptown or Dark Horse's translation of Blacksad. Do you want a truly all-star caliber western series? There's the Sixth Gun. Do you want an action packed series with classic characters and old school writing sensibilities? Mark Waid is writing Green Hornet and Larry Hama has returned to GI Joe. Even someone who just has to read DC can get his fix by cracking open his longboxes or tracking down an unread classic. Hell, even waiting six months to a year to read recent stuff would help. Get them second hand off ebay, find them in the discount bin or buy them directly off creators at shows. With a little patience, you can still read the books you want without financially supporting management.

Motherfucker from Hell

Zechs wrote:Exactly what has been my motto since the new 52 in not buying their books. Though I will make an exception this week with Swamp Thing. If anything Charles Soule did a passionate job saying if anything just buy the two issue arc. But as you said before I am. Being at the Archaia booth yesterday opened my eyes to how there are many more great indy comics I've overlooked and now fully digging into.

Yeah, The Killer in particular is really awesome. There's so much great stuff out there. Do you want a great detective comic? Check out Stumptown or Dark Horse's translation of Blacksad. Do you want a truly all-star caliber western series? There's the Sixth Gun. Do you want an action packed series with classic characters and old school writing sensibilities? Mark Waid is writing Green Hornet and Larry Hama has returned to GI Joe. Even someone who just has to read DC can get his fix by cracking open his longboxes or tracking down an unread classic. Hell, even waiting six months to a year to read recent stuff would help. Get them second hand off ebay, find them in the discount bin or buy them directly off creators at shows. With a little patience, you can still read the books you want without financially supporting management.